G3 vs G5

[Hardcase]

I want to purchase a Canon G5 but am reading some reviews saying that it is not as good as the G3. They say that the G5 has alot of purple fringing and picture noise. Can anyone give me their opinion on which camera I should purchase.
thanks

[g man]

Have got the G5 and have no complaints at all. As for the "chromatic aborration" i.e. purple fringing, it must depend on luck of the draw, Ive taken plenty of night shots under many conditions and see little if any at all.

[John_T]

First of all, the G3 is no longer a current Canon product. The main difference between the G3 and the G5 is 4MP vs. 5MP. The higher MP increases your cropping options and you can print perfectly to larger sizes.

I've been surprised at the number of people who like the effects of purple fringing. Many cameras and lenses have it to a degree that is truly disturbing. Purple fringing will occur under certain light conditions. With the G5 it is less and less as the f stop increases, disappearing completly at f5.6. You can also remove it in your photo editing software. I have not found it to be a problem with my two G5s.

[Bruce]

John_T wrote:
First of all, the G3 is no longer a current Canon product.

I wonder how long will take before we can say the same thing of G5...
I think that as long as the camera is supported by the manifacturer, being a current product or not is not so important.
The G5 has one megapixel more than G3 and that's all you get preferring it to a G3. If you're going to print in large formats it will be certainly useful.
BTW, i'm doing A4 prints from images taken with my G3 and they look very good.
Oh, naturally if you like black camera bodies, G5 is more sexy than G3, but it's a matter of personal taste :)

[jjoejr]

Heres my 2 cents. I've owned both. Still have the G5. Get the G5 because its black. Because you'll want to put the 420ex black flash on it. Beautiful combo. When you shoot with the 420 you'll find it idiot proof. Takes awesome flash pics on auto or program. Easy for the ladies and grandma to take pics also. Add a 52mm tube extension with haze filter and one omnibounce flash diffuser to slide over 420 and you have a great system!...

J.J.

[John_T]

Well Bruce, that's our competition/market driven economy. It's not likely to get less as long as consumers' childish whims set the pace. On the other hand we can be happy for the inventiveness and genius of companies like Canon. For those who appreciate it, their creativity and joy gets continually extended.

As for the MP more, yes I printout up to A3+ on occasion and am damn happy I can. But more important, it extends cropping capablilities quite a bit enabling me to get the best out of a pic.

As for the black finish, my old G2 looks like a middle-aged frump in comparison, but the black finish also makes the camera less conspicious. I noticed that often when I took out the G2 to photograph the raven family that hangs around where I live, they would fly away. They seem to tolerate the G5 much better. The same seems to apply to many people too. That's a plus.

[Griduser]

John_T, how do you take the purple fringing out with photo editing software? I only have the one that came with my G5. Can I do it with that software?

[John_T]

It's been months since I have had any noticeable purple fringing, in that the more you learn the camera, the better your photos are.

As I recall the last time was a long shot with the teleconverter at maximum zoom of a white dog on an overcast day. The dog glowed in a purple halo.

In Photoshop, with the pic at Actual Pixel (100%), from the menu I chose Enhance > Adjust Color > Color Cast. With the eyedroper tool I pecked around for the whitest point I could find on the photo and clicked on it. Bingo, pruple fringe gone.

[drisley]

John_T wrote:
It's been months since I have had any noticeable purple fringing, in that the more you learn the camera, the better your photos are.

As I recall the last time was a long shot with the teleconverter at maximum zoom of a white dog on an overcast day. The dog glowed in a purple halo.

In Photoshop, with the pic at Actual Pixel (100%), from the menu I chose Enhance > Adjust Color > Color Cast. With the eyedroper tool I pecked around for the whitest point I could find on the photo and clicked on it. Bingo, pruple fringe gone.

Are you sure that was Photoshop?
I've never seen a menu item called "Enhance" before...

[Basiltoo]

Griduser wrote:
John_T, how do you take the purple fringing out with photo editing software? I only have the one that came with my G5. Can I do it with that software?
Desaturate the purple/magenta range. Most image editing software will allow you to do this and there is a good description of the method at http://www.dpreview.com/learn/key=chromatic+aberrations

[bradinvancouver]

And if you have Photoshop CS and shoot in RAW mode, the RAW processing has options and settings that actually fix the fringing specifically.

[twl845]

Even though the G3 is out of production you can still get one if you check around, and at around $500 - $550. That's alot better that $700 for a G5 which is basically the same camera. Who cares if it's black or silver, and speaking for myself, I'm not going to be making poster sized prints.

[autechre78]

I'm not making an argument for one or the other, I own a G3 but I've heard great things about the G5 as well. The one thing that was mentioned in a couple reviews that I've read is that the CCD is better sized for the 4 mp G3. and that all canon did was up the mp. i think the review also said that it resulted in lower "purple-fringe" and sharper pics. but i'm sure it's different depending on who you ask.

[John_T]

Drisley, he said "the one that came with my camera". I have so many I don't remember what came with what, so I chose PSE2 for the example. Usually all you need to do is use the eyedropper to establish the white point and that does it.

[drisley]

I remember seeing this same argument when the G3 came out.

Many people said it had more fringing than the G2, etc, etc.

I think many people focus on these excuses so they don't have to justify upgrading to the newest camera.

[Edgar in ATL]

At my time of purchase, both the G3 and the G5 were current products. Other than the difference in price, I was struck by the quick consumption of disk space on my PC by one extra MB for each photo file stored there. I chose the G3. If I had anticipated wanting to print larger photos, I would have gone with the G5 in spite of the disk space issue, but since I rarely print larger than 6x4, I was comfortable with the output quality of the G3. I agree with other respondents in this thread and other threads that you cannot go wrong with either one. Both are outstanding cameras.

[John_T]

Shoot RAW and you will see what the Gs really can do...

[Griduser]

I do shoot (primarily) in RAW format, but I seem to remember that I can't work on photos in that format until they are converted. Am I using old/wrong software? I'm just a goof-around hobbyist, so I don't want to go broke buying programs that I'll only use 5% of the functionality. That said, I read a bit about Breeze Browser. Is that something that I need if I shoot in RAW format? Also, the reason I shoot RAW is that I thought I read somewhere that it gives you the most flexibility in cropping out parts (therefore enlarging them) without adding undo noise and losing sharpness. Is that correct info?

[pradeep1]

At the time was bought my first G3 the G5 was not around. By the time I bought my fourth G3, it was a discontinued model and the G5 was the flagship rangefinder. No excuses as to why I didn't upgrade. Not really a cost issue. G3s do what I need them for. I figured I would save the money and eventually upgrade to a G9 or whatever comes along in 3-4 years that adds to my work somehow in a meaningful way, other than just an additional 1MP.

[John_T]

Griduser, yes and no.

A RAW file is your photo just about exactly as it appeared on the camera's sensor plate without (almost) any correction. The file size is about double that of a JPEG.

If you shoot JPEG, the camera makes corrections that the camera's processor is programmed to do, then compresses the file, and on the assumption that the photo is now correct for printing or whatever, dumps what it regards as surplus data, resulting in a smaller file. Every time you save a JPEG, the file is rearranged and squeezed again resulting in deterioration of your photo.

By shooting RAW, you are saying I want to decide what is good or bad, I want to process my photo and I want the full original as it came off the sensor to work with.

You shoot in RAW and download the pix to your PC. You open Canon File Viewer Utility(FVU). You open the folder where you downloaded your pix. You then see the thumbnails of the CRW RAW pix.

In FVU there are a limited number of basic options to adjust your photo, which you can use as starters, or you can directly convert then to JPEG, 8bit TIFFs or 16bit TIFS. I generally choose 8bit TIFFs as they give a middle file size, are rock solid and lossless to work with and many programs as well as your printer cannot work higher than 8bit. I keep all of my RAW files so that if I want to, later I can go back to the orginal, start over or do something else with it. RAW files are like your permanent negative and therefore the most valuable.

After you have converted to jpeg of tiff, you can do with them what you like, in the secure knowledge that you aren't working with the original.

So actually, if you don't want to, you don't have to buy any fancy software. The basic stuff came with your camera. You can download the latest versions of ZoombrowserEX, FVU, Remote Capture, etc. from Canon. The newest versions just came out, and in some aspects, there are important improvements.

Go here:

http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/customer/driverdown.html

and here:

http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/customer/zoombrowser.html

[Griduser]

Thank you very much for the nice long helpful answer. I will definitely check out the new versions and keep my RAW photos. I regularly dump my pictures off the memory card onto my hard disk. One of these days I'm going to have to figure out how to create archive on CD-ROM so I can free-up some disk space. Thanks again.

[s00pcan]

I bought a new g3 off ebay cheap. As far as I can see it's the better camera to buy, since you can get it cheaper, 1mp isn't that much of a difference, and since several of the many reviews I read said that the g5 took noisier pictures. Don't try to make a big deal about the color either, because it doesn't matter. You can't go wrong with either camera though, since they're both about the same.

[GimpyPoop]

Yo,
The just bought the G5 - waiting for it to be shipped.
I simply opted for the G5 because it is the "newer" model though I realize it has its shortcomings.
Yeah, your typical consumer here! ;)
Me, the Flea

[John_T]

Gimpy, you won't be disappointed. When people start looking for defects, they will find them in anything.

I'm not perfect either, and damn glad I don't have to try to be.

[mahanee]

no need 4 it`s 5 MP
no need 4 it`s 4X Dig.zoom
no need 4 it`s black colour
:D:D:D:D:D

buy G3 n save the rest money 4 filters :D:D

[s00pcan]

or a flash

[Ballen Photo]

Edgar in ATL wrote:
At my time of purchase, both the G3 and the G5 were current products. Other than the difference in price, I was struck by the quick consumption of disk space on my PC by one extra MB for each photo file stored there. I chose the G3. If I had anticipated wanting to print larger photos, I would have gone with the G5 in spite of the disk space issue, but since I rarely print larger than 6x4, I was comfortable with the output quality of the G3. I agree with other respondents in this thread and other threads that you cannot go wrong with either one. Both are outstanding cameras.

I'm not sure what size files you get with either the 3 or the 5, can someone tell me?
I'm currently getting 18 mg files by shooting RAW with my 10D, and the photos usually come out very well.
I do like the concept of the Canon G series cameras for walk about shooting, or as a back up. I'm sure it would work quite well for me since I've been noticing some very capable work flows coming from members here.
I would probably go with the 5 mostly due to the others being discontinued, plus, I prefer Black, LOL.
Thanks for all the info here.
...........Bruce

[toonv]

I guess chromatic abberation is more or less a problem for every digital camera. If you like, take a look at EOS 10D samples on dpreview.com.

http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/canoneos10d_samples1/

The Powershot G5 is a fine camera!

[John_T]

It is a good camera Bruce, and if you take the trouble to learn it, it is a great camera in it's category. I got two of them.

A G5 RAW is between 4.7 and 5 MB resulting in a 15MB 8bit tiff. A best jpeg around 2 MB.

[Ballen Photo]

John_T wrote:
It is a good camera Bruce, and if you take the trouble to learn it, it is a great camera in it's category. I got two of them.

A G5 RAW is between 4.7 and 5 MB resulting in a 15MB 8bit tiff. A best jpeg around 2 MB.


Thanks John, I should have added that my high res jpg's from the 10D average 3MB after processing from raw to tif to jpg.
I'm wondering if I'd be tempted to carry the G more often? This is the reason I've also looked at the S-50. Do you Guys n Gals carry your G series cameras with you everywhere?
.........Bruce

[John_T]

Ha! That is the case. There are many people who love their big gear, but don't want to tote it all the time (grunt), or leave it in the car (help yourself-I want an insurance claim). I don't know how many brilliant G3/5 shots I've seen here and on other forums taken on the way to or from work, riding a bike, on the way to Aunt Tilly's etc. A friend of mine, an architect, bought my old G2 and uses it daily when visiting construction sites, a picture ends a thousand heated discussions.

My G5 bag, with TC, WC, 250D, 420EX, filters, adapters, batteries, reverse macro, travel tripod, monopod plus all the little stuff, is smaller and much lighter than a minimal DSLR bag with not a quarter as much in versatility in it. With two G5s, I can grab the whole bag or just the second camera, or I take bag and my partner takes the second camera, which she loves, but wouldn't dream of carrying the bag.

A G5 is certainly not a 10D, but if you really learn it, and post processing, you can get pix that will rival any other camera 'cause you are a good photographer and, above all, you got that keeper 'cause you had a camera in your pocket.

...my three cents...

[Basiltoo]

pradeep1 wrote:
By the time I bought my fourth G3, it was a discontinued model and the G5 was the flagship rangefinder.

As a matter of interest, what happened to the other three? ;)

[dog010]

Because my SLR and my G3 are almost the same physical size and shape I carry both intermittently but would be more inclined to take the G3. I hate my dorky looking camera bag and simply take the camera around my neck if I cannot bring another bag. That way I look like a tourist rather than a photographer...

[mahanee]

jjoejr wrote:
Heres my 2 cents. I've owned both. Still have the G5. Get the G5 because its black. Because you'll want to put the 420ex black flash on it. Beautiful combo. When you shoot with the 420 you'll find it idiot proof. Takes awesome flash pics on auto or program. Easy for the ladies and grandma to take pics also. Add a 52mm tube extension with haze filter and one omnibounce flash diffuser to slide over 420 and you have a great system!...

J.J.

talk about "match" looking , if u can`t find a black lensmate adapter for your G5, like or not u must use a silver adapter for G3 at your G5 ..:D:D:D it wouldn`t matching too ^-^

[mahanee]

jjoejr wrote:
Heres my 2 cents. I've owned both. Still have the G5. Get the G5 because its black. Because you'll want to put the 420ex black flash on it. Beautiful combo. When you shoot with the 420 you'll find it idiot proof. Takes awesome flash pics on auto or program. Easy for the ladies and grandma to take pics also. Add a 52mm tube extension with haze filter and one omnibounce flash diffuser to slide over 420 and you have a great system!...

J.J.

talk about "match" looking , if u can`t find a black lensmate adapter for your G5, like or not u must use a silver adapter for G3 at your G5 ..:D:D:D it wouldn`t matching too ^-^